Abstract Detail

BrassiBase: Tools and biological resources to study characters and traits in the Brassicaceae - version 1.1.

We are developing an online-accessible knowledge and database system of cross-referenced information and resources on Brassicaceae taxonomy, systematics and evolution, including chromosome numbers, traits and characters, germplasm resources, and accurate enumeration of all species, genera and tribes. Biological, molecular and evolutionary knowledge is exponentially increasing inthe mustard family (Brassicaceae or Cruciferae). However, because of the complex and overwhelming biological diversity in the family, it is difficult to assess research results within a larger evolutionary framework. Many species have proven to be remarkable study objects but are rarely available. Biological material and resources, either collected directly in the wild or held ingermplasm collections, have often been taxonomically misidentified; and only very rarely has the material been further characterized and documented. There is also no comprehensive survey of character and trait distribution among Brassicaceae lineages, though family-wide phylogenies are meanwhile available. In order to close these gaps, we will make accessible to the scientific community the research data focusing on adaptive characters and character-trait evolution in the Brassicaceae. In this context, we will also provide a comprehensive documentation of the taxonomy and systematics of the entire family. This will include a database with all relevant taxonomic, systematic and phylogenetic literature, a comprehensive data collection of characters and traits, a DNA-based identification tool for genera and species, electronic interactive keys for the identification of genera and species, and a setup of a carefully selected and documented germplasm collection representing main lineages of the family.